Definition

1. Noun:

   • A pattern of squares: A design consisting of alternating squares, often of two colors, resembling a chessboard.
   • A mark of verification: A symbol (often ✓) used to indicate that something has been examined, approved, or completed.
   • A written order for payment: A document instructing a bank to pay a specific amount of money from one person's account to another.
   • A restraint or control: Something that stops, limits, or controls an action or process.
   • A sudden stop or pause: An interruption or halt in progress or movement.
   • An inspection or verification: The act of examining something to ensure accuracy, condition, or safety.
   • (Chess) A direct attack on the king: A move that places the opponent's king under immediate threat of capture.

2. Verb:

   • To examine for accuracy: To inspect or verify something to ensure it is correct, functioning, or in order.
   • To stop or restrain: To halt the progress or growth of something; to control or hold back.
   • To mark with a check (✓): To put a mark next to an item on a list to show it has been dealt with.
   • To correspond or match: To be in agreement or consistency with something else.
   • To deposit for safekeeping: To leave an item (like a coat or luggage) in a temporary storage area.
   • (Chess) To attack the opponent's king: To make a move that directly threatens the opponent's king.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • She wore a shirt with a red and white check. (Pattern of squares)
  • Put a check next to each completed task. (Mark of verification)
  • He wrote a check to pay the rent. (Written order for payment)
  • The new law acted as a check on corporate power. (Restraint or control)
  • The project came to a sudden check due to lack of funding. (Sudden stop)
  • The mechanic performed a safety check on the plane. (Inspection)
  • The knight put the king in check. (Chess attack)

• Verb:

  • Please check your work for errors. (Examine for accuracy)
  • The fence helps to check the spread of weeds. (Stop or restrain)
  • Check the box if you agree to the terms. (Mark with a check)
  • His story doesn't check with the facts. (Correspond or match)
  • We can check our bags at the front desk. (Deposit for safekeeping)
  • She checked my king with her bishop. (Chess attack)

Advanced Usage

• "to check in": To register one's arrival at a hotel, airport, or event.

  • We need to check in at the hotel by 3 PM.

• "to check out": To leave a hotel after paying the bill; or to investigate or look at something.

  • We will check out of the hotel tomorrow. (Leave)
  • You should check out that new restaurant. (Investigate)

• "to check up on": To investigate or verify the condition or truth of something or someone.

  • The doctor wants to check up on your recovery next week.

• "to hold/keep in check": To control or restrain something.

  • The government struggled to keep inflation in check.

Variants and Related Words

• Checker (n): A person or thing that verifies; also, one of the squares in a check pattern.
• Checkered (adj): Having a pattern of checks; marked by varied fortunes or experiences (e.g., a past).
• Checklist (n): A list of items to be checked or completed.
• Checkpoint (n): A place where people or vehicles are stopped for inspection.
• Checkmate (n/v): (Chess) A move that ends the game by putting the king in an inescapable position; used figuratively to mean a final defeat.

Synonyms

• Noun (Restraint): Curb, restraint, limitation, control.
• Noun (Inspection): Examination, inspection, verification, audit.
• Verb (Examine): Inspect, verify, examine, confirm.
• Verb (Stop): Halt, stop, arrest, curb, restrain.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Check into: To register one's arrival; to investigate.
  • We will check into the hotel. I'll check into those rumors.
• Check off: To mark items on a list as completed.
  • Check off each item as you pack it.
• Check over: To examine something carefully.
  • The engineer checked over the blueprints.
• Check through: To examine a series of items.
  • Please check through these documents for errors.

Related Idioms

• A reality check: An occasion that causes one to face the truth of a situation.
  • Losing that game was a reality check for the overconfident team.
• Check and balance: A system where different groups control each other's power.
  • The constitution establishes a system of checks and balances.
• Take a rain check: To politely decline an offer but suggest you may accept it later.
  • I can't join tonight, but I'll take a rain check.

Noun

1. (chess) a direct attack on an opponent's king
2. obstructing an opponent in ice hockey
3. the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
   • his common sense is a bridle to his quick temper
4. a textile pattern of squares or crossed lines (resembling a checkerboard)
   • she wore a skirt with checks
5. a mark left after a small piece has been chopped or broken off of something
6. something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
7. a mark indicating that something has been noted or completed etc.
   • as he called the role he put a check mark by each student's name
8. the act of inspecting or verifying
   • they made a check of their equipment
   • the pilot ran through the check-out procedure
9. additional proof that something that was believed (some fact or hypothesis or theory) is correct
   • fossils provided further confirmation of the evolutionary theory
10. the state of inactivity following an interruption
    • the negotiations were in arrest
    • held them in check
    • during the halt he got some lunch
    • the momentary stay enabled him to escape the blow
    • he spent the entire stop in his seat
11. the bill in a restaurant
    • he asked the waiter for the check
12. an appraisal of the state of affairs
    • they made an assay of the contents
    • a check on its dependability under stress
13. a written order directing a bank to pay money
    • he paid all his bills by check

Verb

1. become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
   • The glass cracked when it was heated
2. make cracks or chinks in
   • The heat checked the paint
3. arrest the motion (of something) abruptly
   • He checked the flow of water by shutting off the main valve
4. verify by consulting a source or authority
   • check the spelling of this word
   • check your facts
5. find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort
   • I want to see whether she speaks French
   • See whether it works
   • find out if he speaks Russian
   • Check whether the train leaves on time
6. write out a check on a bank account
7. place into check
   • He checked my kings
8. hold back, as of a danger or an enemy; check the expansion or influence of
   • Arrest the downward trend
   • Check the growth of communism in South East Asia
   • Contain the rebel movement
   • Turn back the tide of communism
9. decline to initiate betting
10. mark into squares or draw squares on; draw crossed lines on
11. stop in a chase especially when scent is lost
    • The dog checked
12. abandon the intended prey, turn, and pursue an inferior prey
13. hand over something to somebody as for temporary safekeeping
    • Check your coat at the door
14. consign for shipment on a vehicle
    • check your luggage before boarding
15. develop (children's) behavior by instruction and practice; especially to teach self-control
    • Parents must discipline their children
    • Is this dog trained?
16. block or impede (a player from the opposing team) in ice hockey
17. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
    • The two stories don't agree in many details
    • The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
    • The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
18. be verified or confirmed; pass inspection
    • These stories don't check!
19. slow the growth or development of
    • The brain damage will retard the child's language development
20. put a check mark on or near or next to
    • Please check each name on the list
    • tick off the items
    • mark off the units
21. stop for a moment, as if out of uncertainty or caution
    • She checked for an instant and missed a step
22. lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits
    • moderate your alcohol intake
    • hold your tongue
    • hold your temper
    • control your anger
23. be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
    • He verified that the valves were closed
    • See that the curtains are closed
    • control the quality of the product
24. make an examination or investigation
    • check into the rumor
    • check the time of the class
25. examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
    • check the brakes
    • Check out the engine